I have two Box Turtles and they won't eat much of their food. Does anyone know what I can try to feed them.

Answer 1

What are you feeding them? And, what kind are they?

In the wild, most box turtles eat a mix of about 75% insects, worms, snails, carrion, etc. and 25% whatever plants, fruits, or fungi that catches their eye.

In captivity, the key is variety. We would usually offer over 50% proteins- live, preserved/dried/canned, or frozen/thawed insects, worms, snails, cooked chicken, low-fat low-oil fish, eggs, SOME high-end low-fat canned or dry dog foods, some good quality low-fat canned carnivore mix, etc.

The rest of the food would be a mix of yard plants, mushrooms, berries, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Other factors that affect feeding include:
- Temps- too hot or too cool puts them off their eats
- Humidity- too dry is bad
- Air quality- stale, smelly air (common in covered tanks) is also bad for many reasons
- Poor lighting- too short of days, too little UV-B rays, etc.
- Stress... and more.

This time of year, many box turtles are confused- the natural lighting is getting shorter and temps are fallnig triggering hibernation urges. We can help comepnsate by offering a sort of 'super summer' with nice long bright days (offer shady hiding places) and good temps/humidity.

Try the following sites for ideas and more info:

Answer 2

If the water isn't at the right temperature turtles start to go into hibernation which would mean them eating less food. King british are the company I use for turtle food. You can also try them on live food like moths/spiders etc but be prepared to have to clean them out the day after!

Answer 3

well right now they are getting ready to hibernate and they will not eat much and they may not come out much. just keep the water in there at all times and then gve them food every other day. but again they are hibernating and if they can't do that then they will get sick. when they hibernate that keeps them from getting sick and keeps them healthy throughout their lives. so all you can do is offerthe food to them and let them sleep. i have a box turtle and a tortise and right now they both are hibernating and they only come out every other day or two. i keep the water in there for them but i will offer them the foods every other day. keep the heat light for them and the other heat sourse for them but you don't want to keep them to warm or they will come out and wake up. let them get around 65-70 during the day and at night shut all lights off. you want to keep them cool because that is the best thing for them when they are sleeping. good luck.

Answer 4

are they new? if so then u should know that turtles go into "hibernation" mode during the winter. they are less active and dont eat a lot (or not as much as they do during spring and summer) dont worry just put it in their water and if they are hungry they will get it. i use the pellet things b/c htey tend to like those and they float in their water for a while giving them a chance to grab it later if they arent hungry at the time

Answer 5

If they are keep outside or if there habitat is cold they may be going into hibernation. Right before the (big sleep) you turtle will slow down and stop eating as much.

If you keep them indoors just warm them up a bit, this may help their appetite.

Answer 6

here try this is worked for my turtles. slice tomatoes and feed it to them they should eat it. or soak there food if you giving them the stuff from feed stores.

Answer 7

Not sure what you feed them now, try a Tomato or Lettuce.

Answer 8

try tomatoes or cantaloupe, try earthworms - they love these
try canned dog food
if they are getting ready to hibernate they may not eat

Answer 9

if u took the turtles out of their habitat sometimes they'll starve themselves to death